©2005 JAMES BENYA

Based on the Book by Mark Karlen and James Benya,

Wiley and Sons, 2004

Presented byNKBAand

Benya Lighting

James Robert Benya, PE, FIES, IALD, LC

BENYA LIGHTING DESIGNPortland, OR

Lighting Design BasicsLighting Design Basics

©2005 JAMES BENYA

No Handouts?!?!?•Get the book

– www.wiley.com

•Download this presentation at www.benyalighting.com

•Questions? Send a message to jbenya@benyalighting.com

©2005 JAMES BENYA

What are lighting design basics?

1. Introduction2. Light Sources3. Luminaires4. Switching and Dimming5. Daylighting6. Lighting Calculations7. Documenting Lighting Design8. The Layers Approach9. A Basic Approach

©2005 JAMES BENYA

What are lighting design basics?

10. Residential Lighting Design11. Office and Corporate Lighting

Design12. Hospitality Lighting Design13. Health Care/Institutional Lighting

Design14. Lighting for Stores15. Lighting Common Spaces

©2005 JAMES BENYA

What are lighting design basics?

16. The Professional Process of Lighting Design

17. Collaborating with Lighting Designers

18. Computers and Lighting Design19. Developing Skills Beyond the

Basics

©2005 JAMES BENYA

1 IntroductionA GOOD LIGHTING DESIGN SHOULD• Look good!• Provide the proper amount of light in every

room.• Be built and constructed within budget, code,

and other constraints.• Be environmentally responsible.• Respond to the Architecture and Interior Design• Produce good color • Achieve the desired moods of each space• Be able to control the lights

©2005 JAMES BENYA

2 Light Sources

• Incandescent• Halogen• Fluorescent• Compact

Fluorescent Lamps• LED’s• Fiber Optic Sources

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Incandescent Lamps

•Appealing•Warm, attractive color

(2600-2900K)•Dimmable•Wide variety•Not energy efficient

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Low Voltage Incandescent Lamps

• Usually low wattage but not inherently energy efficient

• Greatest advantage: size

PAR36 Long throw display lamp 2700K

Xenon incandescent strip lights 2800K

Low voltage strips and tubes 2400-2600K

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Halogen Lamps

•Appealing•Crisp warm, attractive

color (2800-3100K)•Dimmable•Wide variety•Longer life, slightly

more energy efficient

Halogen PAR 20, PAR 30 and PAR 38 lamps

Halogen lamps for table lamps and chandeliers

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Low Voltage Halogen

• Compact, bright lamps• A bit more energy

efficient• Excellent reading, work

and display light sources• Color Temp: 2900-3100K• Long life

MR16

PAR36 and AR111 halogen long throw lamps

Small halogen lamps for task lights, sconces, etc.

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Linear Fluorescent•T-12 “fat tubes”

no longer a good choice

•Use T-8 lamps for most residential uses

•Consider T-5 and T-2 lamps for undercabinet fixtures

T-12 T-8 T-5 T-2

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Compact Fluorescent

•7,9, and 13 watt twin tubes (“PL”lamps) for step lights, low level lighting

•Triple tube, Circuline and 2D lamps 18-58 watts for general lighting

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Color temperatureRange of Daylight

Warm Neutral Cool Cold

1800K 2800K 3500K 5000K 7500K 10000K

2200K 3000K 4100K 6500K 9000K

Setting Sun

North Sky

Range of Fluorescent

Range of

Flame

Range of Incandescent and Halogen

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Recommended Fluorescent Lamps for Common Use

Desired Lamp Color

• Warm 2700K• Warm 3000K• Neutral 3500K• Cool 4100K• Cold 5000K

Lamp Color Designation

• “827”• “830” or “930”• “835”• “841”• “850” or “950”

Example: F32T8/830 is a 3000K, 32 watt tubular fluorescent lamp 8/8” in diameter

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Fluorescent Ballast Technology•Non-dimming

electronic ballasts– Quieter– Instant starting

•Dimming electronic ballasts

– Two wire versions now available

– Standard 3 wire and 4 wire versions also available

©2005 JAMES BENYA

New Technologies

•Fiberoptics

•LED

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Fiberoptics as Special Effect•End-emitting

fiber– twinkle effects (star

fields)– in-water effects

(ponds and water features)

•Side Emitting fiber

– outlining– shapes

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Fiberoptics as Display Lighting

• Uses special optical elements (small lenses)

• Each fiber emits a very small amount of light

• Maximum bundle is about 300 cd at 30 degree

• Virtually no UV or IR• Requires a low ambient light

space like a fine museum

©2005 JAMES BENYA

LED Lights

• Promising technology

• Used for traffic signals and exit signs

• New products include sconces, step lights and marker lights

©2005 JAMES BENYA

For the Kitchen and BathMy favorites

Kitchen• PAR38 halogen

work area downlights

• MR16 low voltage accent lights

• Low voltage xenon or fluorescent undercabinet lights

• Fluorescent cove lights

Bath• Halogen or

fluorescent vanity lights

• MR16 vanity downlight and accent lights

• MR16 shower light

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Urban Living Trends

•Smaller, higher quality spaces•Green design

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Challenges of Green Design• Too much emphasis on

compact fluorescent lighting

• Little understanding of lighting design by utility and energy efficiency advocates

• Not many good choices of luminaires embodying green principles

• Poor design sensitivity in the green community

©2005 JAMES BENYA

For the Kitchen and BathMy green favoritesLook for US EPA Energy Star but be picky!

Kitchen• Compact

fluorescent work area downlights

• MR16 low voltage accent lights

• Low voltage fluorescent undercabinet lights

• Fluorescent cove lights

Bath• Fluorescent vanity

lights• MR16 vanity

downlight and accent lights

• MR16 shower light

©2005 JAMES BENYA

3 Luminaires• “Architectural”

– Recessed cans– Track– Coves and undercabinet lights

• Decorative– Chandeliers– Sconces– Pendants– Lamps

• Utility– Drums– Closet lights

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Recessed Lighting• Generally inexpensive• Very popular• Aesthetically “neutral”• Good for task lighting• OK for general lighting• If chosen correctly,

excellent for display lighting and a number of special applications

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Recessed Lighting• The “Housing”

– For most residential use, fixtures are at most about 7” tall for 2x8 construction

• The “Trim”– 4”, 5” and 6”

incandescent– 3”, 4”, 5” and 6” low

voltage– 4”, 5” and 6”

compact fluorescent

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Standard Housings• Incandescent non-IC

• Incandescent IC• Incandescent air tight IC

• Low voltage non-IC• Low voltage IC

• Low voltage airtight IC• Compact fluorescent non-

IC• Compact fluorescent IC

• Compact fluorescent airtight IC

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Remodeler Housings

•Designed to fit through a single hole in the ceiling

•Usually not IC

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Premium Housings•Superior quality•Interchangeable

lamp capability– Incandescent– Low voltage– Compact fluorescent

•High quality interchangeable trims

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Choosing Trims• Is the trim suitable for your needs

– Adjustable?– Right style?– Right color or material?

• Is the trim LISTED for the application?– Kitchen: indoor, dry location– Bathroom: indoor, dry location– Over shower or tub: Spa or shower rated– Steam shower: wet label, gasketed– Indoor pool or hot tub: wet label, non conductive

trim, at least 7.5’ above water level

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Standard trims

• Downlight– Baffle– Cone

• Accent light– Gimbal– Eyeball– Pull down

• Wallwash– Eyelid

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Using Standard Recessed Lighting• Choose trims tastefully• Use halogen lamps

– 4” family use PAR20– 5” and 6” family use

PAR30– 6” family also consider the

PAR38– Avoid so called line

voltage MR16 and PAR16

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Adjustable Line Voltage Recessed Trims

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Low Voltage MR-16 Lighting

• Typically used in a 3” or 4”recessed can

• Can be used (with the right trim) in a 5” or 6” can

• Use good quality MR16 lamps• ALWAYS use a soft focus

spread lens (Halo L111)• Current Favorite: Sylvania

37MR16/IR

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Low Voltage Trims

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Other Low Voltage Trims

•Glass trim, gasketed for wet environments

•Low cost spa and shower light for tubs and shower stalls

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Be Careful with Compact Fluorescent Downlights• Square: not IC or

AT but looks nice• Round IC – way

tall• To get an airtight

IC you are limited to 13 watts

• In the kitchen downlight you need 32 watts

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Track

• Still used in museums for good reason• Permits maximum flexibility• Luminaires equipped easily with

spread lenses and UV filters for artwork lighting

• Attaches to surface, permits dramatic lighting in condos

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Track• Standard 120 volt

track– Low cost general

purpose– High cost “museum

grade”

• Low voltage track• Low voltage

specialty systems– Two cable systems– Two rail systems– Two conductor “bars”,

“rods”, and ribbons

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Low Voltage Lighting•Most recessed low

voltage lights have a transformer in the housing

•Most low voltage strips and some recessed housings can be connected to a remote transformer

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Accent Lighting Using Low Voltage

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Beam QualityAn unfiltered lamp tends

to have• Striation

– lines and harsh edges

• Halation– rings sometimes with

rainbowing

• Sharp edges and rapid change

– well defined round or elliptical beams

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Taming the (MR16) Beast

• Smooth the Beam– Softening Lens (Halo

L111 or “solite”)– Spread Lens– Linear Lens

• Shield the Source– Baffle or snoot– Louver

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Accent Lighting Technique• Should be located at about

30 degrees off vertical relative to focal point

• Do not get too close to wall -normally 24” minimum away

• Use 30-60-90 triangle to determine optimum position

• Only use lighting systems capable of hitting above 40 degrees (off vertical) in special situations.

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Accent Lighting

ArtworkArtwork

3030--6060--90 triangle90 triangle

Mounting LineMounting LineRecessed accent lightRecessed accent light

Track or monopointTrack or monopoint

The distance from thefixture to the artworkwill determine beam angle and candlepower

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Accent Lighting with PAR36

For high ceilings use a low voltage 6” recessed luminaire and a 50 watt PAR36 low voltage lamp

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Accent lighting• Living room, great

room, family room• Dining room• Foyer• Hallways/prime art

locations• Art niches• Master bedroom

reading and art lights• Powder rooms

©2005 JAMES BENYA

The Layered Approach to Lighting Design

Begin by thinking in layers

Ambient

Task

Focal

Decorative

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Layer #1 - The Ambient or General Lighting Layer

• Generally the relatively uniform lighting of the space.

• Tends to establish mood.• Includes uniform downlighting, indirect lighting

(uplighting and wallwashing), and some special techniques, but can also be the decorative lighting

• Called “general lighting” if at task levels (30-50 fc or more).

• Called “ambient lighting” if lower than task levels

©2005 JAMES BENYA

The Ambient Layer

Cove lighting

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Layer #2 - The Task Layer

•Generally limited to “task lighting” of the HORIZONTAL WORK SURFACE at work locations.

•Tends to help create drama.•Usually produces 50 fc or more

within a small area.

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Ambient and Task LightingDownlighting

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Layer #3 - The Display or Focal Layer

• Generally limited to accent lighting and similar effects, primarily through VERTICAL AND OTHER NON-HORIZONTAL SURFACE ILLUMINATION.

• Tends to create drama, with greater drama the result of greater contrast between the brightness created by Focal Lighting and Ambient Lighting.

• Usually involves key displays at 100 fc or more.

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Ambient, Task and Focal Lighting

Accent Lighting

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Layer #4 - the Decorative or Traditional Layer

• In general, adds the decorative luminaires called for by the architecture/interior design style, period, motif.

• Is usually expected to contribute to the ambient illumination. In many designs, the decorative lighting will BE the ambient lighting.

• Usually reduces contrast (drama).

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Ambient, Task, Focal and Decorative Lighting

Chandelier

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Composition

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Composition•Chandelier

(ambient and decorative)

•Recessed (task)•Recessed

(focal)•Sconce

(decorative)

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Composition

•Cove (ambient)•Recessed (task)•Undercabinet

(task)•Chandelier

(decorative)•Sconce

(decorative)

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Composition and Planning for Change

•Recessed adjustable lighting

•Combined with fixed predictable lighting

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Remote transformers•Address Article 411

and 725 issues– Class 1– Class 2

•Low noise, minimum heat

©2005 JAMES BENYA

WallwashingProduces a flat, even wash of light for a wall. You may find this is NOT what you wanted…

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Types of WallwashersRececssed asymmetric style

Eyelid style

Recessed lens styleTrack and surface lens and asymmetric style

Semi-recessed lensand open asymmetric style

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Principles of Wallwashing• Fixtures at least 24”

out from wall and about 1/4 wall height out from wall

• Fixtures apart 1 to 1.5 times the distance from the wall

• If you don’t need at least three - you shouldn’t be wallwashing

The higher thewall the furtherout to locatewallwashers

At least 2’

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Undercabinet LightingDON’T• Mount fixtures at

back of cabinet• Use luminous front

fixtures• Put short fixtures

under long cabinets

• Put in cheap cool white or daylight lamps

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Undercabinet Lighting

DO• Use solid front fixtures• Use a lens to diffuse

the lamp image over polished countertops

• Choose fixtures to be as continuous as possible and wrap around corners

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Low Voltage Specialty Lighting• Permits finely detailed lighting effects• Use inside and under cabinets and

similar locations

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Example: Bookcase

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Example: Cabinet with Polished Countertop

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Things to Remember: Room by Room

•Here is my basic list of lighting considerations

• I use this with every client – we expand from there

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Kitchen

•Multiple layers permits multiple moods

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Steps to Better Kitchen Lighting by Layers

Layer #1 – Light the Task

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Steps to Better Kitchen Lighting by Layers

Layer #2 –Ambient Light

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Steps to Better Kitchen Lighting by Layers

Layer #3 –Decorative Light

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Bathroom

Layers•Multiple layers

for mood and flexibility

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Bathroom

Layer #1-TaskLight the Face

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Bathroom

Layer #1-TaskLight the Face

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Bathroom

Layer #2-TaskLight the Sink

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Bathroom

Layer #3-TaskLight the

Shower or Tub

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Bathroom

Layer #4- Night Lights

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Other Lighting Things to Remember

• Dimmers and controls laid out well and kept simple

• Layers in every space even closets

• Built in night lights

• Controlled daylight

• Lens, focus and other adjustments must be done

• Good lighting extends outdoors

©2005 JAMES BENYA

Lighting Design Basics

Presented by BENYA LIGHTING DESIGN

For a copy of these slides, www.benyalighting.com